Play date in the back, back yard

Does the summer get any better than this??? Picking dandelions in the yard. Snuggling with Daddy in the grass while having a snack. Feeling safe enough to "run" away -- just around the corner. Learning to hold a butterfly while not letting your sister touch it.

Life is good!

Playin' with the doh

Elena is the sculptor in training, learning to make "snakes," "logs," and other assorted cylindrical shapes. Garrett is the mush-master, mixing all the colors and then stamping the concoction with his toys. So much fun.

randomness

This one's for you, Cynthia!

http://nikeplus.nike.com/nikeplus/humanrace/publicRunners.jsp?sitesrc=tafpledge&userID=617107677

Race with Nike+ in the Human Race 10k on August 31st. Nike is using this event to support three charities, including the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I'm pledging my 10k for Cynthia, one of my inspirations on a daily basis. Chris is running with me and we are trying to get lots of friends and family to sign up too. Run/walk where you live -- WE CAN EACH DO THIS!

Spending Time with New Friends at the Zoo

Well, we've only lived in SD for 6+ months now so we've decided it's time to start making some friends in the neighborhood. There is a weekly happy hour on Friday nights for everyone to get together, imbibe, and share some pot luck and we actually went this week (Thursday night since Friday was the 4th). There we got to know some neighbors better that moved in earlier this year and some that moved in a couple of weeks ago. Two neighbors shanghi-ed me into working out early mornings this weekend while Chris was stil around to watch the kids for me and my body thanks them for it. A group of us also planned an outing to the SD Zoo so that we didn't have to take our tikes by ourselves.

Here are some photos of our adventure yesterday:

Lucas, 2 1/2, checking out the monkeys

Jordan, 5, Lucas's sister, keeping her eyes on the monkeys

Sydney, 4, pointing out the wallabies

Lucas and Jordan checking out the wallabies

Garrett found Pumba -- or at least a distant relative

The SLR gang

(from left to right: Lauren, 4 as of today (or LoLa as my two call her adoringly), Meghan, 16 mos,
Jordan, Sydney, Elena, and Lucas)

The girls with big smiles for the cameras -- Sydney and Elena are working to make their dimples bigger

Silly faces, take 1

Silly faces, take 2 -- Garrett decided he could finally be in a group shot if it was going to be silly

Here's to a great day at the zoo!

Thanks Stacy, Karna, and Betsy for a grand and wonderful day! When are y'all up for an excursion to the Wild Animal Park???

Horsin' Around

Saturday Meghan, Ben, and Nathan came up to spend the day with our family. My new neighbors had told me earlier in the week that the base stables had pony rides for only $2 so we decided to check it out. Let's just say that everyone decided that it was the best $6 dollars we ever spent and we can't wait to go back!

Check out our carrots! We are ready to feed the horsies!

Um, maybe I'm not so ready to do this -- that horse is big!

Feeding the horses is good. Get on his back? Are you serious???

Why did I wait so long to do this? I'm ready to take another stroll along the trail!

Who me? Afraid of horses? You must be kidding -- I'm a natural cowgirl! Giddy up!

First Love

Although these photos are from April, I never got them uploaded. Elena asked for her buddy Zach this morning, so I thought I would create this page for her to look at while she misses him this summer. Zach and Jacob -- your #1 fan is anxiously awaiting your return!

FFF - Daddy love

I don't usually do the Favorite Foto Friday schtick, but this week I couldn't resist. I just love to see how in love with our kids Chris is. Makes me love him more every day.

Vissers Become 4!

Congratulations to the Vissers clan -- they are now a family of four. Please welcome Sam to Momma CiCi's family. Cynthia, Jack, and Ian are overjoyed. The rest of us just can't wait to meet this little cutie (I just had to steal photos from Cynthia's blog). Garrett and Elena are super excited to meet Jack's "lil brover" tomorrow.

We look forward to meeting you Sam! Fly home safe!

Beautiful Babes

Coming Soon to an Ad Near You!